Select Page

Short Answer:

No, chickpeas are not Paleo?
are chickpeas paleo

What Are Chickpeas?

Chick pea is a legume from the family Fabaceae. It is one of the earliest cultivated legumes that originated in the Middle East. It is yellowish in color and has a nutty taste and buttery, starchy texture.

Chickpeas like other legumes are high in protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It is also rich in iron, phosphorus, vitamins B6, magnesium and zinc.

Chickpea is normally boiled and simmered or sometimes pressure cooked before consumption. It is the main ingredient in making hummus, curries and soups.

Types of Chickpeas

There are 3 types of chickpeas:

  1. Desi – Desi chickpea is small in size, has darker seeds and a rough coat. It is tan to black in color. It is the earliest variety of chickpeas. Desi is used to make chana dai, a split chickpea without the skin.
  2. Bombay chickpea – This chickpea is also dark in color and a bit larger than desi.
  3. Kabuli –Mostly seen at salad bars and usually in can, these beans are cream-colored or sometimes whitish. It has a fairly rounded shape and twice the size of the desi chickpeas.

Why Chickpeas are not Paleo…

Chickpeas are legumes, and as such they aren’t allowed on the Paleo diet. Although they contain high amounts of proteins and other nutrients, phytates make it difficult for the body to absorb these nutrients. Plus the nutrients in chickpeas can also be found in other foods like fish, meat and vegetables.

Lectins in chickpeas are inflammatory and can cause autoimmune diseases and problems to the digestive system. Even when boiled or cooked, not all anti nutrients are eliminated from chickpeas.

Chickpeas have protease inhibitors that can slow down the action of proteins that digest nutrients. Saponins are also present in chickpeas. These anti-nutrients cause damage to the lining of the all cells. When in high quantities, it can cause rupture in the red blood cells. Like all legumes, chickpeas contain FODMAPs that can cause gas, bloating and other digestive problems.

Lastly, chickpeas are loads of carbohydrates. They may not be advisable especially to people who are looking after their weight.

What Experts Say About Chickpeas… Is It Paleo?

“Peas and green beans are, botanically speaking, legumes. And since I generally recommend against the consumption of legumes, it seems to follow that the consumption of peas and green beans is “not Primal.”- Mark Sisson

All you ever wanted to know about Chickpeas and Paleo

The Paleo Diet. Beans and Legumes: Are They Paleo?
http://thepaleodiet.com/beans-and-legumes-are-they-paleo/

Mark’s Daily Apple.Dear Mark: Beans/Legumes
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/beans-legumes-carbs/#axzz3fHQrKWvy

Chris krsser. Are Legumes “Paleo”? And Does It Really Matter?
http://chriskresser.com/are-legumes-paleo/

Paleo Leap. What’s Wrong With Beans and Legumes
http://paleoleap.com/beans-and-legumes/

Paleo Grubs.  Are Hummus Paleo?
http://paleogrubs.com/hummus-paleo

Paleo Porn. Are Chickpeas Paleo?
http://paleoporn.net/q/are-chickpeas-paleo/

Paleo Infused Nutrition. Legumes, Why Should I Stop Eating You?
http://www.paleoinfused.com/?p=1215

Other Names of Chickpeas

Garbanzo beans, gram, garbanzo

Did we miss anything?

Comment below and let us know what you think. Do you agree with our conclusion?

photo credit: Chickpeas